We've recently shown you a few watches utilizing the impressive fusée and chain constant force mechanism, but here Zenith has taken things one step further. They have added this system to their marine chronometer-inspired Cristophe Colomb, bringing the movement component count up to 939 parts. Read on for a closer look at this truly complicated watch.

We've recently shown you a few watches utilizing the impressive fusée and chain constant force mechanism, but here Zenith has taken things one step further. They have added this system to their marine chronometer-inspired Cristophe Colomb, bringing the movement component count up to 939 parts. Read on for a closer look at this truly complicated watch.

A Closer Look At The Academy Cristophe Colomb Hurricane

It's obvious at first glance that the Academy Cristophe Colomb Hurricane has many layers of complexity, so let's start from the case and work our way in. The 18k rose gold case is 45mm in diameter and 14.35mm thick (except over the gravity mechanism, where the dome increases the girth to 21.4mm). The gold guilloché dials feature black lacquered markers and blued steel hands, giving them a very classic appearance. The hours and minutes are displayed at 12 o'clock, running seconds are at 9 o'clock, and the 50-hour power reserve indicator is at 3:30.

The Fusée And Chain

With that out of the way, we can get to the really interesting stuff. Visible below and on either side of the hours and minutes dial is the fusée and chain. The barrel rests on the left while the fusée (the cone shaped gear that provides resistance on the chain) is on the right. The 585-part chain stretches between the two, crossing through the center of the open dial, ensuring constant force and better accuracy for the movement.

Zenith's Amazing Movement

And as if that wasn't impressive enough, there is Zenith's unique Gravity Control module at 6 o'clock, resting under a 6mm-high crystal dome. Inspired by the three-dimensional suspension systems used to negate the effects of both waves and gravity on chronometers at sea in the sixteenth century, Zenith created a miniaturized suspension system for the Cristophe Colomb family of watches.

The Back Of The Academy Cristophe Colomb Hurricane

The idea is that a horizontal balance is an accurate and consistent balance, so the nested gyroscopic supports keep the balance wheel horizontal no matter what direction you turn your wrist. Think of it as the opposite of a tourbillon, which creates additional movement to compensate for a vertical balance, which is the mechanism's least accurate position. This contraption alone is 173 parts, and the underside is decorated to resemble a globe, a celebration of exploration.